The master’s degree program in mathematics is geared towards prospective students who possess a certain level of abstraction skills and imagination. You should enjoy exploring new areas and be persistent when it comes to thinking about how to solve singular problems.

The formal entrance requirements for the Master of Science in Mathematics are:

• A bachelor’s degree in mathematics with at least a satisfactory final grade or an equivalent degree.
• At least 100 credits must have been completed in the following areas: Analysis, linear algebra and geometry, stochastics, and numerical analysis (including an internship)
• You can still enroll if you can provide proof of at least 79 credits, even if you have not yet completed the full 100 credits. It is, however, required that you then complete any missing credits in the abovementioned areas by the end of the first academic year.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

Applicants who did not earn their university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB) at a German-language institution or complete a German-language degree program must provide proof of English proficiency at a B2 level or higher. Proof the required qualifications can be submitted up to the end of the first semester after enrollment at JGU.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

Information on the examination regulations.

The master’s degree program in mathematics at JGU is divided into five sections:

1. Structure

Here you have the option to select from different areas of mathematics; two of the following areas – (A), (B) or (C) – must be covered.

(A) Algebra, algebraic topology, algebraic geometry, number theory

(B) Differential equations, global analysis, complex analysis, functional analysis, differential geometry, mathematical physics

(C) Numerical analysis, stochastics

2. Specialization

In this area, you will select from various cycles, each of which covers a specialized field within mathematics. Aside from your individual specialization, this also serves as preparation for your master’s thesis (see #5: Completing your master’s degree).

1. Algebraic geometry
2. Algebraic topology
3. Algebraic number theory
4. Functional analysis
5. Partial differential equations
6. Differential geometry
7. Stochastics
8. Academic calculations

3. Supplementary offers

This area will provide you with knowledge in areas that do not fall within your personal specialization. Here you will also become familiar with research topics and gain insights into the latest scientific findings.

1. Algebra
2. Analysis
3. Numerical mathematics
4. Stochastics
5. Geometry

In addition, you will take two advanced seminars in which you will practice the presentation and discussion of research results in peer groups. Beyond this, this format serves to enable you to independently gain and deepen your knowledge of mathematical content.

4. Minor

By choosing a minor, you will have the opportunity to gain insight into additional academic disciplines. You will learn how mathematics can be applied to other sciences and how it can even form the foundation for their work.

1. Theoretical physics
2. Experimental physics
3. Computer science
4. Meteorology
5. History of mathematics and natural sciences
6. Biology
7. Philosophy
8. Economics

5. Degree

The final step towards obtaining your degree is to write your master’s thesis, followed by the oral examination.

You can decide upon the topic of your master’s thesis yourself in consultation with a supervisor. Typically, your thesis topic will be closely related to the content of your area of specialization.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

As a graduate of the Master of Science in Mathematics, you will be able to grasp complex correlations, considering all particulars, and also be especially prepared to think analytically. You will certainly be more than just a genius in calculating or crunching numbers: You will also be able to develop problem-solving strategies and apply them creatively to various situations.

With such skills, you will be optimally qualified to work in a wide range of professional fields:

• Banking and credit sector

Risk management, development and assessment of financial instruments, investment banking, market modeling

• Insurance

Statistics and pricing, acquisition and quote generation, product development, risk management

• Public administration

Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), statutory pension insurance scheme, statistics offices, computer centers and planning departments

• Computer industry

Optimization of hardware components, software development and sales, expert systems for control and optimization of processes in production/transport/logistics, security systems for data transmission, methods of data compression

• Corporate consulting

Preparation of business decisions, corporate organization, pension plan consulting, implementation of software and computational systems

• Research centers

Trials and clinical studies in the pharmaceutical industry, mathematical modeling and simulations to replace prototypes and expensive experiments (medicine, vehicle construction, material tests), development of complex steering instruments (aeronautics), climate modeling

• Education and academics

Universities and technical institutions of higher education, Fraunhofer Institutes, Gesellschaft für Mathematik und Datenverarbeitung (Society for mathematics and data processing)

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.